EARLY TUAKAU.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 59, 23 May 1932, Page 6

EARLY TUAKAU.

THE GROWING OF WHEAT.

THE FIRST CHURCH

(By J. 8.8.) (Continued)

When the Maoris were living in Tuakau they grew small quantities of wheat, and had a small water-driven grist mill, which was left intact when they left the district during the war, hut unfortunately the whites did not take care of this mill and the grist machinery was lost, and the building used for a flax mill. When the Brown family came they brought some golden drop seed wheat with them and this variety did remarkably well and as the setifers got portions of their farms cleared this wheat was grown by a good many. As the wheat production increased —more than what was required for local consumptionsome was sold in Auckland. The millers did not like the golden drop and persuaded us to give it up and grow the tuscan, which we did and entirely lost the golden drop. We much regretted this afterwards. To get our wheat gristed it was sent by steamer to Ngaruawahia. We had to have the wheat at the river landing to meet the steamers coming up, and had to again meet the steamer coming down. TlfWe was no building whatsoever in which to put the wheat so we had to meet the steamers without fail or take the consequences. It was splendid flour that came from this mill. IWemorfes—Churches. The first church built in Tuakau was the Roman Catholic Church which stood in the .settlement. The priest in charge was Dr. Macdonald. It was quite a pleasure to meet him riding along the road and to hear his cherry greeting, "well child (or children), how are you getting on?" Yes, a cherry old soul was the Doctor. Protestant services were held on alternate fortnights by the Church of England vicar and the Presbyterian minister in the old weatherboard building mentioned in my previous article. The seats were just benches without backs and one seat was placed at the top for the preacher. They were rather un-

comfortable, I can tell you, but the people in those days were only too

thankful for a religious service, 1 and did not mind a little discomfort. There is one servce which stands out very clearly in my memory. The Rev. James Calloway (Presbyterian) was the preacher. When the young man who led the singing arrived, accompanied by his sister and a young lady friend, the only seat available was at the top facing the congregation. I felt sorry for that young man but he rose to the occasion and as the young ladies with him could both sing and the congregation joined in, the singing went fine and heartily When I look back to those days I feel thankful that I had the privilege of being personally acquainted with the Rev. James Galloway— a broad minded Christian minister. He died a comparatively young man, but I feel sure that the world was the better for his having lived in it. The first Protestant church was built about 1878 by the late Mr Thomas Holmes and his friends. It was built on the north side of the railway line on what was then Mr Holmes' property. This was the only Ppotestant church built in the '7o's, and as I am only writing about the 70's I must not go any further.

(To be continued in a future issue)